The Philosophy of Social Science : An Introduction (Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy)

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Summary: comprehensive introduction to social sciences
Review: Great stuff for researchers, be they young or somewhat older. The book reveals the underlying rationale of a lot of confusion that is going around in the social sciences. By outlining the history of social sciences and concurrently looking at the basic assumptions of subsequent conflicting scientific views, Hollis enhances the cohesion and credibility of the field of social sciences. Though not easy to consume, this is an exciting book for all the investigative out there who pretend to be able to talk with authority about the philosophy of social sciences...

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Summary: The Ontology & Epistemology Behind the Methods
Review: Hollis's book provides a sorely needed corrective to the common but unfortunate assumption that "method" is distinct from "theory". Through a series of examples, allegories, and histories, the author illustrates the differences in ontology (ways of being) and epistemology (ways of knowing) that inform how research is done in the social sciences. Hollis's prose succeeds in bridging the gap between the abstract and the concrete better than many expositions on the philosophy of social science. I enjoy assigning it to my research methods students to remind them of the philosophy that motivates the quantitative and qualitative methods they are studying.